Division II

Bracketology: Division II girls basketball

At first glance, the Portsmouth High School girls basketball team looks like the heavy favorite when the playoffs begin in a few weeks. But the Clippers have faced some close calls after dominating for much of the season, and if Portsmouth does slip up, Merrimack Valley, Lebanon, Souhegan and Hanove

At first glance, the Portsmouth High School girls basketball team looks like the heavy favorite when the playoffs begin in a few weeks.

But the Clippers have faced some close calls after dominating for much of the season, and if Portsmouth does slip up, Merrimack Valley, Lebanon, Souhegan and Hanover aren't that far behind.

And that doesn't include teams like Goffstown, Hollis Brookline and Pembroke that have scored some big wins this season and could easily upset one of the top teams on any given night.

How the playoffs stand

Here's a look at the first-round matchups if the playoff started Friday. No tiebreakers have been applied.

No. 16 St. Thomas (5-12) at No. 1 Portsmouth (15-0)
No. 9 Bishop Brady (9-7) at No. 8 Hollis Brookline (10-6)
No. 12 Manchester West (8-9) at No. 5 Hanover (12-4)
No. 13 Timberlane (6-10) at No. 4 Souhegan (12-3)
No. 15 John Stark (5-11) at No. 2 Merrimack Valley (15-1)
No. 10 Coe-Brown (8-8) at No. 7 Goffstown (10-6)
No. 14 Windham (5-10) at No. 3 Lebanon (12-3)
No. 11 Oyster River (8-8) at No. 6 Pembroke (10-5)

Top four

Portsmouth (15-0): The Clippers had won each of their first 12 games by double digits, but then St. Thomas and Oyster River each held Portsmouth to under 40 points and lost by three and five, respectively. Perhaps there were other factors involved, like it being the second meeting in each game between rivals. The Clippers, who have only played two teams with a winning record, should finish the regular season undefeated. Best wins: Souhegan (50-26), Goffstown (52-36). Bad losses: None. PPG: 55.4. PA: 33.2.
Merrimack Valley (15-1): The Pride also haven't played many teams with a winning record (three), but they've been tested a lot more than Portsmouth. Merrimack Valley has won eight in a row and ends the season with winnable games at John Stark and against Milford. Best wins: Pembroke (71-43), at Hanover (56-43), at Bishop Brady (50-44). Bad losses: None. PPG: 60.0. PA: 37.8.
Lebanon (12-3): After starting the season 8-0, the Raiders have gone 4-3, including a home loss to Goffstown. Of Lebanon's three remaining games, the toughest (Manchester West and Coe-Brown) are at home. The magic number for the Raiders appears to be 40. When they give up less than that, they're 11-0; when they give up more, they're 1-3. Best wins: Hanover (39-19, 45-41), Souhegan (57-36). Bad losses: None. PPG: 49.9. PA: 31.8.
Souhegan (12-3): If the Sabers and Raiders were to finish tied, Lebanon would end up with the tiebreaker, thanks to a head-to-head win. Tuesday night's loss to West could haunt Souhegan as it closes with a tough schedule: Goffstown (Friday), Windham (Feb. 23) and at Hollis Brookline (Feb. 26). Best wins: Hanover (43-36), Hollis Brookline (47-46), Bishop Brady (48-33). Bad losses: Manchester West (33-27). PPG: 44.3. PA: 34.2.

Next four

Hanover (12-4): The Marauders got off to a slow start to the season, but that will happen when you play Lebanon and Souhegan three times in six games. Since starting 3-3, Hanover has gone 9-1, with the lone setback to Merrimack Valley. The Marauders finish up the season with home games against Hollis Brookline and John Stark. Best wins: Bishop Brady (51-39, 52-47), at Pembroke (38-36), at Goffstown (54-33). Bad losses: at Lebanon (39-19). PPG: 49.3. PA: 38.2.
Pembroke (10-5): Like Hanover, the Spartans started the season 3-3, with the losses coming to Merrimack Valley, Lebanon and the Marauders. Since then, Pembroke is 7-2 with some big wins along the way. The Spartans end the year with road games at ConVal and Kennett before hosting Timberlane on Feb. 26. Best wins: Hollis Brookline (56-53), Merrimack Valley (43-39), Lebanon (47-42). Bad losses: at Timberlane (55-49). PPG: 41.5. PA: 40.1.
Goffstown (10-6): The Grizzlies had some injuriy trouble mid-season, but have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games. Goffstown plays a big game at Souhegan on Friday before ending the year at home against Bishop Brady (Feb. 25). Best wins: Pembroke (29-26), Lebanon (47-40). Bad losses: Manchester West (52-42), Coe-Brown (45-41). PPG: 38.7. PA: 38.8.
Hollis Brookline (10-6): The Cavaliers have had a surprising, up-and-down season, opening 1-3 and then winning eight of nine. But HB has lost two of its last three to teams in the lower half of the standings. The regular season isn't any easy finish, with games at Hanover (Feb. 23) and against Souhegan (Feb. 26). Best wins: Bishop Brady (58-47), Lebanon (46-37). Bad losses: at John Stark (48-34), Milford (39-36), Windham (53-50). PPG: 49.9. PA: 44.0.

Rest of the field

Bishop Brady (9-7)
Coe-Brown (8-8)
Oyster River (8-8)
Manchester West (8-9)
Timberlane (6-10)
Windham (5-10)
John Stark (5-11)
St. Thomas (5-12)

On the rise: Before Tuesday's loss to Portsmouth, Oyster River had won three straight, and four of five, to bounce back from a 4-6 start. St. Thomas has gone 2-2 in its last four, and came within three points of the Clippers, to move into the final playoff spot.

Trending down: Bishop Brady won six of its first nine games, but the Giants have struggled of late as they've faced some of the top teams in the division. Timberlane won five of seven mid-season and looked like it might compete for a home playoff game, but the Owls have dropped four in a row.